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Proposed Constitutional Amendment: Balanced Federal Budget

This proposal aims to amend the Constitution to require that federal government expenditures do not exceed its receipts in any fiscal year. This means the government would only be able to spend what it collects from taxes and other sources, potentially impacting the availability of funds for public programs and services, but also contributing to the nation's financial stability. Implementing this rule could limit national debt, but would require a supermajority in Congress for exceptions during crises.
Key points
The federal government would be prohibited from spending more money than it collects in a given year, potentially affecting funding for public programs.
Increasing the national debt would require a two-thirds vote in Congress, making it harder to incur new borrowings.
In emergencies like war, Congress could authorize higher spending, but the debt would need to be repaid as soon as practicable.
The President would be required to submit a budget where expenditures do not exceed receipts, increasing accountability for national finances.
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Expired
Citizen Poll
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Additional Information
Print number: 117_HJRES_30
Sponsor: Rep. Green, Mark E. [R-TN-7]
Process start date: 2021-03-09
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Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 117_HJRES_30.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2021-03-09.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • The federal government would be prohibited from spending more money than it collects in a given year, potentially affecting funding for public programs.
  • Increasing the national debt would require a two-thirds vote in Congress, making it harder to incur new borrowings.
  • In emergencies like war, Congress could authorize higher spending, but the debt would need to be repaid as soon as practicable.
  • The President would be required to submit a budget where expenditures do not exceed receipts, increasing accountability for national finances.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Green, Mark E. [R-TN-7].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-27.

CATEGORIES

Economy Courts and Law Public Investments